As a life-long learner, CALCON 2016 was an exciting opportunity to not just learn new ideas but also hone my skills in previous interests. After three days of conferences, classes, and networking, my important takeaway was "it's all about communication in all its forms". This is the foundation on which we build everything else.
The class about "weeding without tears" was a good example of this insight. Examples were given of library supervisors not taking the time to communicate to a concerned volunteer who discovers piles of discarded library materials that lead to a huge maelstrom of bad press, protests and in extreme cases, the dismissal of staff and directors. Be pro-active and use these teaching moments to educate the stakeholders and citizenry in the purpose of weeding. It is a major tool in good collection development and a librarian's job. A concerned patron has the right to ask about the reduction and disposal of library materials, and our profession should welcome inquiries and not be dismissive. Make sure the concerned citizen knows they have been heard. That they have been listened to!
Other classes I attended reinforced this idea of communication as the key. The "finding the funding" class explained that before asking for money, the library should have previously developed a relationship through good communication with the donor organization. Listening to understand each other's missions and how well they match comes before communicating needs and mutual goals.
Reaching out to each other also to communicate our needs and aspirations can result in greater successes. Inter- Library Loan is a wonderful example of sharing materials, but libraries can also share ideas, as well as unique resources such as a book- bike mobile. Some pool their money to create large author events as an example.
The author event class displayed how communication among library institutions can benefit the patrons as well. Securing a bestselling author may be too pricey for a smaller library or library district but is easily within reach when combined with a neighboring library's resources. And again, communication is key. Not only in the set- up and planning with your own patrons but the scheduling and moving the author from city to city in a timely manner that works for everyone.
One library was able to allow their patrons to vote on which author to bring for their public event. A choice of three authors offered by the publisher to the library met their patrons' interest and library budget requirements. A simple community communication through paper ballot allowed the patrons to have some say, a vote, and some buy in on what their library would present. In this example, library programing was directly designed through listening to the collective voice of the patrons.
The same words used may conjure different concepts based on our unique individual experiences. The choice of media for the communication can be an obstacle. Some may feel comfortable in speaking in front of a room full of people, some are better suited to write down concise plans and thoughts, yet we all need to hone both these skills to be effective information professionals. Often we believe we have reached our audience only to find that our intent was totally misunderstood when clarifying questions were asked. Communication essential to our profession includes a strong emphasis on listening skills.
The ALA Turn Outward campaign gives all libraries the tools to step up and begin conversations and community communication. The tool kit is very useful in training reluctant librarians to step out of their comfort zone and approach their future programming from the library user's point of view.
CALCON 2016 offered many opportunities to practice my own networking skills with co-workers and new colleagues. This was a worthwhile workshop experience all on its own. Visiting with vendors, sharing information such as the location of the morning coffee cart, lunching with new people forced introverts such as myself to practice these all important intercommunication skills.
What have I learned? This CALCON experience confirmed for me that the days of the quiet shy librarian in the back room comfortably surrounded by her library materials is no more. The collection, though still important, is not our profession's primary concern. Our primary focus is the people with whom we come in contact and their information needs. Librarians today must think on their feet and communicate effectively with their co-workers, other library professionals, and the library stakeholders and patrons. As a MLIS grad student concerned about developing career skills for the information field, I believe communication skills should be the number one competency necessary for our profession. Not just speaking skills, but listening respectfully to each other and truly understanding the message sent is essential to all our activities.
Our inputs must be based on comprehension, in order for our outcomes to be successful. We must get the first step correct. Listen.